Bottle Stopper

ABSTRACT

A stopper apparatus comprising a flat upper portion having a centrally-located circular indention facing upward, an activation element having a circular, planer disc loosely engaging the circular indention, a vertically-oriented panel, and a male-threaded stem descending on a vertical axis of the disc, a reinforced circular lower horizontal panel having a centrally-located internally-threaded post extending vertically from the lower horizontal panel and engaging the internally-threaded post, and a bladder of rubberlike material disposed between the lower horizontal panel and the flat, reinforced upper portion, the bladder having a central passage through which the stem and post pass, and an internal cavity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the technical area of closures for openingsin bottles and jars.

2. Description of Related Art

Bottle caps and closures are very well known in the art, and manycommercial versions are available. There is, however, a use of suchclosures that has an issue that has not, to the inventor's knowledge,been adequately addressed.

In use of apparatus broadly known as water pipes, and often referred toas bongs, tobacco and other herbs may be ignited, and the smoke may bedrawn by a user through a downstem from a side opening, to a positionunder water in a lower reservoir of the water pipe, where the smoke isdrawn up through the water and then to an upper opening, to the user'smouth, to be inhaled.

It is well known that the smoke, filtering through the water, may leaveconsiderable residue in the water, which may become quite oily andmalodorous. After use, unless the openings into the water pipe areadequately closed, if the water pipe is accidentally overturned, damageto carpets and furniture, for example, may be considerable.

There are, as stated above, several sorts of stoppers commerciallyavailable for opening in water pipes and other apparatus, such astapered rubber stoppers, but openings in water pipes vary considerablyin diameter, and the user must be careful to obtain closures that fitthe diameters of the water pipe, and if two or more may be used,typically a separate stopper may be needed for every opening in everywater pipe.

What is clearly needed is a stopper apparatus that is easily variable indiameter, and that may stopper an opening with enough outward pressureto be surely leak proof. Such a stopper may be used on water pipeopenings of different diameters.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention a stopper apparatus for a water pipeis provided, comprising a substantially flat, reinforced upper portionof a diameter substantially the outer diameter of a cylindrical smokechamber of the water pipe, the upper portion having a centrally-locatedcircular indention facing upward, an activation element having acircular, planer disc loosely engaging the circular indention in theupper portion, a vertically-oriented panel located across a diameter ofthe disc, and a male-threaded stem descending below on a vertical axisof the disc, a reinforced circular lower horizontal panel having acentrally-located internally-threaded post extending vertically from thelower horizontal panel, the male-threaded stem engaging theinternally-threaded post, and a bladder of rubberlike material disposedbetween the lower horizontal panel and the flat, reinforced upperportion, the bladder having a an outer diameter and a central passagethrough which the stem and post pass, and an internal cavity. Rotatingthe activation element further engages the stem with the post,decreasing the separation of the lower panel and the flat upper portion,compressing the bladder and increasing the outer diameter of the bladderto a diameter that causes bladder contact with an inner wall of thecylindrical smoke chamber.

In one embodiment the bladder is joined by adhesive or heat sealing tothe flat upper portion and to the lower panel. Also, in one embodimentthe bladder is a separate object having a donut outer shape, and aninner cavity also in donut shape, having substantially thin outer walls.In one embodiment the internal cavity of the bladder is filled with airat a predetermined pressure. In one embodiment the bladder is filledwith liquid. And in one embodiment the bladder is filled with acompressible foam material.

In one embodiment the donut-shaped bladder is filled with a liquid. Inanother with water. and in a third with a compressible foam material.

In one embodiment the internal thread in the post extends through thelower panel. In one embodiment the apparatus further comprises a loop ofcord or ribbon joined by a clip to the vertically-oriented panel of theactivation element, the loop of cord or ribbon enabling suspension ofthe stopper apparatus from a portion of the water pipe when the stopperapparatus is not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a water pipe that may be stoppered in anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial section of an upper smoke chamber of the water pipeof FIG. 1, illustrating a stopper apparatus in an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a sectioned view of the stopper apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows the stopper apparatus of FIG. 3 with the bladdercompressed.

FIG. 5 illustrates the activation element in one embodiment inperspective view.

FIG. 6 illustrates a stopper apparatus in an alternative embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 6 with the bladder compressed.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment with a hinged panel.

FIG. 9 illustrates a turnkey panel in an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a base unit 101 of a water pipe that maybe stoppered when not in use in an embodiment of the present invention.Water pipe 101 has a lower reservoir 102, normally holding a quantity ofwater, a cylindrical upper portion 103 having a smooth lip at theuppermost extremity, which is the interface through which a user drawssmoke in use, and a second cylindrical portion 105 to one side,penetrating bowl 102 at a down angle.

Upper lip 104 may take several forms, as a mouthpiece, and in someinstances a separate mouthpiece may be interfaced to the upper lip.Portion 105 also has a circular opening 106 at an upper end, typicallyof a smaller diameter than that of portion 103. Several parts of thewater pipe are not shown in FIG. 1, such as a downstem that fits intoportion 105 and provides a stem to a point below water level, throughwhich, in use, smoke may pass to pass through the water before beingdrawn up portion 103. Also not shown is a bowl that fits into portion105, in which herbs may be ignited to provide the smoke. The inventorbelieves FIG. 1 is adequate for enabling descriptions of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of upper lip 104 and part of portion 103 ofbase unit 101 of FIG. 1, within which a stopper 201 according to anembodiment of the present invention has been placed. The upper lip andportion of the base unit shown are shown in section to better illustratestopper 201 in FIG. 2.

Stopper 201 has a flat upper portion 202, and a lower sealing portion203. An activation element 204 described in enabling detail below has apanel 207 that extends above flat portion 202, and has, in this example,a clip 205 engaging a ribbon 206. Ribbon 206 is not essential to theinvention, but may be useful in some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is the view of FIG. 2, but with stopper 201 sectioned as well, toshow internal elements. Flat upper portion 202 is a rubber molding witha rigid inner panel 301 that provides strength and rigidity. A circularrecess 306 provides guidance for a circular portion of activationelement 204, which has an externally threaded stem 302, and upper,vertical panel 207. A molded bladder 304 has internal volumes 305 thatmay in some circumstances be filled with air, in others a liquid, and inothers a closed-cell foam rubber material. Bladder 304 has a reinforcedsubstantially flat bottom 203, the reinforcement includes a rigid panel303 which may be metal, such as aluminum, which also has avertically-extending, internally threaded post 307 that engagesexternally-threaded stem 302. Air or liquid, such as water, in bladder304 may be injected at higher or less than atmospheric pressure, toinfluence operation of the bladder in use.

Bladder 304 is, in this example, joined by adhesive or by heat sealingto element 303, and also to underside of upper portion 202. Engagementof threaded stem 302 to threaded post 307 enables adjustment of theapparatus by turning activation element 204. As a user turns element 204clockwise stem 302 further engages post 307, and the height of bladder304 is forced to a lesser dimension, which causes bladder 304 to expandoutwardly toward the inner wall of cylindrical upper portion 103 of thewater pipe.

FIG. 4 is another elevation view of the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3,after element 204 has been turned to an extent that bladder 304 isexpanded and has engaged the inner wall of cylindrical upper portion103. As the height of the inner apparatus is forced to a lesserdimension, bladder 304 is squeezed and expands outward, making a sealwith the inner wall of the cylindrical upper portion of the water pipe.It will be apparent that the extent of expansion is substantial, so thata single stopper apparatus may be useful for a rather wide range ofdiameters of cylinders. In some case a single stopper apparatus may beuseful for both the upper opening and the side opening of a water pipe,although, of course, both openings cannot be stoppered by a singleapparatus.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of stopper 201, illustrating more clearlythe nature of activation element 204. There is a circular portion 401that engages circular recess 306. There is in addition a vertical panel402 which a user may grasp with thumb and opposing fingers to turn theactivation element to engage or disengage threaded stem with threadedpost 307.

FIG. 6 is section view, similar to that of FIGS. 3 and 4, illustratingan alternative embodiment of the invention, in which a separate bladderdonut 601 performs the function of bladder 304 in the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Donut 601 may be filled with air or aliquid, such as water, or with a closed-cell foam, just as described forbladder 304. It may be seen that in the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 6the internally threaded post may be different than in FIG. 3. In FIG. 6the internal thread may extend all the way through the post. Donuts ofdifferent sizes, diameters and wall thickness may be used in differentembodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 6 with the stem sufficientlyengaged with the post that donut 601 is compressed and flattened,forming a seal with the inner wall of cylindrical portion 103 of thewater pipe.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment with a hinged panel. In theembodiment of FIG. 8 element 801 represents the upper assembly analogousto previous versions described. An activation element 802 has an upperhorizontal planar portion 803 that includes two hinge elements 804 towhich a panel 805 is assembled, such that panel 805 may be folded downparallel with planar portion 803, or may be raised to enable turning thethreaded stem. In this version it is necessary that ribbon 206 belocated elsewhere on the assembly than to panel 805, such as whereshown. But could be located elsewhere as well.

The semicircular shape of panels 204 or 805 is not limiting in theinvention. This panel could take other shapes as well. FIG. 9, forexample, illustrates a panel 901 that is shaped more like a turnkey inthe art. Many other shapes, such as square and rectangular, for example,are possible as well. In some embodiments the panel that a user holdsand turns to expand the bladder(s) may be removable and may insert tothe activation element like a key, for example.

A significant advantage of stoppers according to embodiments of thepresent invention is that these stoppers may be used for a wide varietyof diameters of openings in water pipes and other apparatus, without anydeviation in the actual structure of the stopper. One may adjust thecompression of the bladder in these stoppers to be very close to thediameter of an opening meant to be sealed. The stopper may then beslipped into the opening, and a quarter to a half turn of the activationapparatus will thoroughly seal the opening.

In various embodiments of the invention a user may use the ribbon orcord 206 to encircle the cylindrical portion 103 when the water pipe isin active use, keeping the stopper with the water pipe or easy accesswhen needed. A second stopper may be suspended by ribbon 206 around sidecylinder 105. The two stoppers kept with the water pipe may be sized andtested for the particular dimensions of the water pipe.

The skilled artisan will understand that the embodiments and design ofelemental pieces are all exemplary and may be accomplished in differentways within the scope of the invention. The scope is limited only by theclaims below.

1. A stopper apparatus for a water pipe, comprising: a substantiallyflat, reinforced upper portion of a diameter substantially the outerdiameter of a cylindrical smoke chamber of the water pipe, the upperportion having a centrally-located circular indention facing upward; anactivation element having a circular, planer disc loosely engaging thecircular indention in the upper portion, a vertically-oriented panellocated across a diameter of the disc, and a male-threaded stemdescending below on a vertical axis of the disc; a reinforced circularlower horizontal panel having a centrally-located internally-threadedpost extending vertically from the lower horizontal panel, themale-threaded stem engaging the internally-threaded post; and a bladderof rubberlike material disposed between the lower horizontal panel andthe flat, reinforced upper portion, the bladder having an outer diameterand a central passage through which the stem and post pass, and aninternal cavity; wherein rotating the activation element further engagesthe stem with the post, decreasing the separation of the lower panel andthe flat upper portion, compressing the bladder and increasing the outerdiameter of the bladder to a diameter that causes bladder contact withan inner wall of the cylindrical smoke chamber.
 2. The stopper apparatusof claim 1 wherein the bladder is joined by adhesive or heat sealing tothe flat upper portion and to the lower panel.
 3. The stopper apparatusof claim 1 wherein the bladder is a separate object having a donut outershape, and an inner cavity also in donut shape, having substantiallythin outer walls.
 4. The stopper apparatus of claim 1 wherein theinternal cavity of the bladder is filled with air at a predeterminedpressure.
 5. The stopper apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bladder isfilled with a liquid.
 6. The stopper apparatus of claim 1 wherein thebladder is filled with a foam material.
 7. The stopper apparatus ofclaim 3 wherein the internal cavity of the bladder is filled with air ata predetermined pressure.
 8. The stopper apparatus of claim 3 whereinthe bladder is filled with a liquid.
 9. The stopper apparatus of claim 3wherein the bladder is filled with a foam material
 10. The stopperapparatus of claim 1 wherein the internal thread in the post extendsthrough the lower panel.
 11. The stopper apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a loop of cord or ribbon joined by a clip to thevertically-oriented panel of the activation element, the loop of cord orribbon enabling suspension of the stopper apparatus from a portion ofthe water pipe when the stopper apparatus is not in use.